GDay Folks
Im one of those lucky guys who was around in the early sixties, Im one of those lucky guys who got into music, and with a group called The Puppets. We backed some of the biggest stars on the planet at that time. I shall be 73 in May 2017 and Im still going strong,
Around 2007 I discovered that the standard of backing tracks on offer were in general very good indeed. I enjoy singing all kinds of songs, so with this modern technology I have been able to record many songs. With hundreds of songs out there in the ether you will always find a decent variety on my page. I do hope you enjoy what you are listening to~~Des
I do not have nor claim to have copy write on any of the songs on my page,If you enjoy a certain song I recommend that you purchase that song from the artist,~~Des



I was 14 in 1958.In the late 50s and early 60s, there was a guy who lived locally called Ian Thompson. Ian was a couple of years older than me and he had a fabulous collection of rock n roll records so, of course, we used to congregate at his place all the time. One of the things we used to do was to place two books flat down on the table with about six inches between them, then, with a pair of drumsticks, hit the book directly in front using alternate sticks. Then, on every fourth stroke we would strike the book on the right, keeping up the continuity of the alternate strokes while progressively getting faster. We used to count the right hand book strikes and see how many times we could strike it in one minute.
For some reason I seemed to be able to do this better than the others and Ian said I should consider being a drummer, because he thought I could do it.I was about 14/15 at the time He then arranged for me to go and meet a cousin of his who was a professional drummer. I did this and was so taken that I pestered my Mum to buy me a drum kit and she did. I became the proud owner of a Gigster drum kit, comprising a small bass drum, a snare drum, two tom-toms, (but with only a skin on the top of them), and a tiny 9 inch cymbal. This was my first inspiration to perform.

1961 Preston Public Hall headlined by Emile Ford and The Checkmates,Billy Fury and The Big Three.First time seeing Billy Fury ,I later ended up drumming for him and we were friends untill he passed away in 1983.

I used to have a Slingerland kit,I stopped drumming in 1986.These days I just have Shure SM58.microphone.That's it.

I guess The Big Three and Billy Fury both figured as early influences. When I was in the Puppets, 1962-1967, we tended to like all the American r n' b and I think its fair to say that I've probably been influenced by just about every singer I have ever heard.

I was the drummer/vocalist for The Puppets in the UK 1962-1967 we were managed by and recorded for Joe Meek the guy who wrote Telstar
We backed Americans Little Miss Dynamite 'Brenda Lee,The Fabulous Ronettes,Big Dee Irwin,Dee Dee Sharp the mashed potato lady,and that great rocker Gene Vincent. the Be Bop A Lula man.
We backed lots of Brit idols Marty Wilde,Michael Cox,Vince Eager,Duffy Power,Jess Conrad,,Kiki Dee, Billie Davis and Elkie Brooks plus the delightful Millie of My Boy Lollypop fame.
We had lengthy stints with both Crispian St. Peters who had two top five hits during the time we worked for him.'You Were On My Mind' and 'Pied Piper' and for about a year we backed Billy Fury britain's best rock balladeer

I arrived in South Australia in 1979

In South Australia I was the drummer/vocalist for 'Midnight Connection' 1981 -1984
In South Australia I was the vocalist for 'Monkey Business' from 1986-1997

In South Australia I was the vocalist with 'Long Lunch' 2009 - 2014
Yes I've been a live performer since 1960

I have far too many choices,I've worked with a lot of people.Man I'm just happy to still be able to do it. I'm 73 now and still going strong.

We did the Empire pool at Wembley in London in the early sixties with The Puppets, to around 12000 people that would have been the biggest audience I can remember.
It was a big audience for then,there were lots of name acts on the bill,The Stones etc,we were backing Gene Vincent.
Like most other musos ,I've played to just two or three from time to time.

All history details can be found on my website www.desoreilly.com

Brother Jack McDuff 'Live' first heard it during my time with The Puppets,I like it cos it's brilliant jazz.In fact we used to play his Rock Candy as a get on and off number on those circular stages they used to have back then.